Earl O'Neal Jr.

Mr. Earl Franklin O’Neal, Jr., age 64 of Columbia, Tennessee passed away on Friday, April 17, 2015 at Maury Regional Medical Center following an extended illness.

Earl was born on December 9, 1950 to Earl Franklin O’Neal, Sr and Anna Bush O’Neal in Stoddard County, MO.

Mr. O’Neal was a dedicated and beloved husband to his wife Patricia whom he married on December 3, 1977 and his sons Morgan and Lee, and will be greatly missed. He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corp and a member of the American Legion Post 19. Additionally, Earl and his family had moved to Columbia in the late 80’s with General Motors to work at the Saturn plant where he worked as an Op-Tech. Prior to relocating to middle Tennessee, he had previously worked for General Motors as a welder at the Fisher Flint Plant. He was a long-time member of the UAW Local 1853.

Earl was a Christian who was very missions minded. He and his wife worshipped at Pleasant Heights Baptist Church as long as their health allowed.

Earl is survived by his loving wife: Patricia McLaughlin O’Neal of Columbia; sons: Morgan (Amanda) O’Neal of Ft. Smith, Arkansas and Lee (Christina) O’Neal of Cookeville, Tennessee; grandchildren: Riley Armes and Shaydan O’Neal; siblings: Shirley Vanover of Grand Island, Florida, Randall (Janice) O’Neal of Davison, Michigan and Patricia O’Neal of Flint, Michigan; sister-in-law: Pam (Elmer) Franklin of Hartland; brother-in-law: Bruce McLaughlin of Mt. Morris, Michigan; father-in-law: W. Allen McLaughlin of Clio, Michigan; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents: Earl Franklin O’Neal, Sr. and Anna Bush O’Neal; grandparents: Lee and Laney O’Neal and Frank and Zella Bush; siblings: Eula “Dollie” Kelley, Frankie Ann O’Neal and Mark O’Neal; and mother-in-law: Catherine “Kate” McLaughlin.

Funeral services for Earl will be held on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Williams Funeral Home in Columbia with Bro. Bob Vassar officiating and his son Morgan O’Neal serving as eulogist. Burial will follow at Polk Memorial Gardens with military honors provided by Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19. The family will visit with friends on Monday, April 20, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. also at Williams Funeral Home in Columbia.

Because of Earl’s love and heart for missions, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to either: Latin American Ministries for Billy and Bette Loft, P. O. Box 1030, Grainger, Indiana 46530, www.lamtoday.org or to Campus Crusade Ministries, CRU, Attn: Contributions, PO Box 628222, Orlando, FL 32862-8222, www.cru.org .

The family would like to give a special thank you to Dr. Rebecca R. Hung and the staff at the VUMC Cardiology Step-Down Unit for their care and concern of Earl during his final illness. Additionally, much appreciation is given to Dr. Bowser and Nurse McKenzie in the Emergency Department at Maury Regional Medical Center.

Williams Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements and online condolences may be made to the family at www.williamsfh.com .